Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop a new model in which the interrelationship between the barriers can be determined that hinder the implementation of effective recycling processes in the plastic sectors of India. Design/methodology/approach Today manufacturers do not want their input to be deemed waste and subsequently be discarded, so their efforts and resources have been channeled into the development of efficient recycling methods. However, there are several barriers hindering the implementation of effective and efficient recycling. In this paper several of the most influential barriers are taken into consideration and implemented in the interpretive structural modeling. Findings The results divided the barriers into four clusters and identified the weak and strong barriers and implemented relationships between them. Research limitations/implications Globally plastic waste has been steadily increasing. Recycling plastic has received much attention because many companies are using it as a strategic tool to serve their customers and to generate good revenue, but there is a lack of effective recycling units in India. The work of this paper and its results will be helpful in the implementation of an effective and efficient recycling unit for the plastic sector. Practical implications The recycling process can be improved by avoiding barriers of PLASTIC recycling. Originality/value In this paper, the plastic industries of India are studied and analyzed, and the barriers are found.